Siheyuan: Happy Life of Jia Zhang Family

Zhang Dabao had enough money and bills on him, so he bought a pound of sugar, because he could only buy a pound at most and would not sell more than that. He also bought two cans of food, left the supply and marketing cooperative, drove around the commune for a long time, and returned to the car. He had melon seeds, snacks, fruits, meat, fish and other things, as well as two slaughtered roosters.

"I went to several places and found local leaders before I bought these things." Looking at the envious eyes of his nephew and Zhang Dayang, Zhang Zaibiao explained.

"Uncle, there are too many things," said Zhang Shouan. He knew that he owed his uncle a big favor.

"Why are we talking about this as a family? Tomorrow give your father-in-law a piece of meat, a chicken, and two fish, and the canned food as well. Share the candies with the children at the door. Divide the melon seeds into two portions, leaving half for them, and we will eat the other half tomorrow afternoon," Zhang Dabao said to Zhang Shouan.

What could Zhang Shouan say? He could only nod his head repeatedly. Among the four people present, Zhang Dabiao was the one with the least relationship. Zhang Shoucheng was his biological brother, and Zhang Dayang was his biological uncle. Moreover, his younger uncle looked down on his father's calculations. He did not expect that he would help him again and again.

"Uncle, let me kowtow to you." Zhang Shouan suddenly knelt down and kowtowed to Zhang Dabao.

"What are you doing? Your father is gone, and we are your elders, so of course we have to worry about you. Shou'an, you must live a good life. You must listen to your mother's words selectively, as she still lacks knowledge." Zhang Dabao persuaded his nephew again.

"I know" Zhang Shoucheng doesn't talk much, but he is not a mama's boy.

The four people were still at Zhang Dasen's house because he had rice at home and some leftovers from lunch, including steamed buns. Zhang Shoucheng heated them up in the evening. After the four people had their meal, they began to rest because they had to go to Zheng's house to welcome the bride early the next morning.

At six o'clock in the morning, Zhang Dabao drove Zhang Shouan and two others to Zhengjia Village.

The Zheng family is marrying off their daughter today and the whole family got up early. Since things are difficult everywhere, only their family, two close relatives, two uncles and an aunt came here.

At this time, her mother, aunt and uncle were teaching Zheng Hong to live a good life with Zhang Shouan. Zheng Hong changed into new clothes and waited for Zhang Shouan to pick her up.

"When you leave today, you will live in the city. Your home will be far away, so if you have any problems, ask someone to send a message to you. Zhang Shouan's uncle is a sensible man. He lives next door to your house. There are also the homes of Zhang Shouan's two aunts. If you have any problems, please discuss them with the elders. Don't throw a tantrum." The mother began to cry as she spoke, feeling reluctant to let her daughter, who was about to get married, go.

"Auntie, my brother-in-law and others are here," the younger brother of my uncle ran in. At this time, Zhang Shoucheng, Zhang Dayang and Zhang Dabao parked their car in front of the village office. They followed Zhang Shoucheng and came to the door of Zheng's house, carrying things.

"Brother Zheng, you raised such a good girl and married her to Shoucheng. It is a blessing for our family. I have to thank you very much," Zhang Dabao said, grabbing Zheng's father.

"County Magistrate Zhang, you are too polite." Zheng's father was still a little nervous when he saw a cadre like Zhang Dabao. No matter what happened in the past or whether they were relatives or not, the common people were deeply afraid of being officials.

"Brother Zheng, I'm not the county magistrate. I work in a steel rolling mill, in the same unit as Shouan." Zhang Dabao waved his hands and went into the house with Zheng's father.

"It's all the same. They all said you are a county-level official," said Zheng Hong's uncle.

"They are just the same in terms of rank, but they are in charge of different things. The county magistrate is in charge of hundreds of thousands of people, but I am only in charge of a dozen or twenty people," Zhang Dabao said with a smile.

"Shou'an, aren't you going to hold a big party? Why did you bring these things with you?" The father-in-law asked his son-in-law when he saw that Zhang Dayang and Zhang Shoucheng had put all the things in their hands in his home.

"Dad, Xiaohong and I are leaving. The uncles and aunts are here. They have to have a meal at home. It just so happens that my uncle asked his friend to buy these things, so I left half of them for you. As for the rest, we will have a meal as a family in the evening," said Zhang Shouan.

"Brother, you are too polite." Zheng's father thanked Zhang Dabao again and again.

"Brother Zheng, from now on we are a family, so don't be polite. When we came here, we brothers told Zhang Shoucheng to be nicer to Xiaohong. If there is anything wrong with Zhang Shoucheng, let Xiaohong tell me and I will deal with him," said Zhang Dabao.

"No need, Shoucheng is also a peaceful person. Xiaohong has a quick temper, so you also need me to take care of her," said Zheng's father.

After a while of greeting, Zhang Dayang indicated that it was time. Zhang Dabao stood up and said goodbye to the Zheng family. Zhang Shouan took Zheng Hong's hand and left the Zheng family. With the family seeing them off, they came to the village office and asked everyone to get in the car. Zhang Dabao said goodbye to the Zheng family, and the car drove out of Zhengjia Village.

Mother Zheng couldn't help crying as she watched her daughter go away.

"Sister-in-law, don't cry. Your Xiaohong went to Beijing to enjoy a good life. Her boyfriend's family is very well off, and all the family members are workers. Especially Zheng Hong's uncle, he is a county-level leader," a neighbor advised.

"Yes, sister-in-law, Zheng Hong's good days are coming. Even though her father-in-law is gone and her mother-in-law is not that good either, she has a bunch of good relatives, and Zhang Shouan himself is not bad either. The workers in the steel mill have it so good now, it's hard to get in even if you want to," said another neighbor.

"Third brother's wife, when you have the chance to take advantage of the girl, go back quickly."

The neighbors talked a lot and persuaded Zheng Hong's mother to go back.

When the Zheng family returned home, the neighbors did not disperse but continued to discuss the marriage. Some saw Zhang Shouan and others bringing chicken, fish, meat, candy and other things; some talked about Zhang Dabao's position; some envied Zheng Hong for getting married in a car. In short, the Zheng family gained a lot of face today.

Not only is it a face, but it is also a substance. At noon today, the four Zheng brothers and sisters ate stewed chicken and stewed meat together. Zheng's father originally wanted to cook fish, but was stopped by his two younger brothers. Having chicken and meat is better than the New Year, so why eat fish? Besides, fish is not delicious. How can it be as delicious as meat?

Zhang Shouan and his wife were sent to Yard No. 96. They took a day off and asked Zhang Shoucheng and Zhang Dayang to take away the fish and other things. They then went to their yard for dinner in the evening.

Zhang Dabao also returned to Yard 95. When he left, he told Zhang Shouan to come to Yard 95 for lunch and then go home to rest.

"Shou'an, I feel like I'm dreaming," Zheng Hong said, leaning against Zhang Shou'an.

"Me too. Thank you for always sticking with me. I will definitely treat you well," said Zhang Shouan.

"I..." As young people together and legally married, they were of course willing to do something they liked. After resting until half past eleven, the two came to Zhang Dabiao's house. Zhang Dabiao had prepared the meal, just four simple dishes. With Qin Jingru and Xiaodang, everyone enjoyed the meal very much.